Lipofibromatosis: magnetic resonance imaging features and pathological correlation in three cases

Lipofibromatosis is a rare, benign, but infiltrative, soft tissue tumor seen in children. We present three cases of lipofibromatosis, each with different magnetic resonance imaging features and correlate this with the histological findings. The patients comprised two males and one female who presented in infancy; at birth, 5 months, and 7 months of age. Clinically, the masses were painless and slow-growing. The masses ranged in size from 2 to 6 cm and involved the distal extremities in two cases (one foot, one wrist) and the trunk. Magnetic resonance imaging showed lipomatous lesions with varying amounts of adipose and solid components in each case. There were no capsules at the periphery of the lesions. One case showed a fat-predominant lesion, another an equal mixture of fat and solid tissue, and the third was predominantly solid. This was reflected in the histology, which showed corresponding features. Radiological and histopathological differential diagnoses are reviewed. (orig.)